There is very little that can get me out of bed really early on a Sunday morning…

but a desperate mother referred to me by one of my recent brides is certainly one way to do it!

Paulette, 14 years old, was getting confirmed and there was no salon open and willing to accomodate her and her mother early enough that morning. To the rescue came their neighbor Sandra, who’s wedding I had done just a few months back. A phone call later and we worked it out that I would come to them early enough so that I could still get to the wedding I was booked on for that morning on time. Mom simply wanted to look great, and Paulette sent me photos of the hair and makeup look she wanted.

Mom was proud as a peacock, and Paulette was too excited for words. She did, however, manage to tell me afterwards that if she has a Sweet 16, she will be calling me right away!

There are so many photo opportunities before the wedding… engagement parties, engagement photos, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners to attend. All these events where the bride will most likely apply her own makeup, even if hiring a pro for her wedding day. But so many pictures will be taken, and most likely end up on Facebook! So what is a bride to do?

Well, to help out I offer makeup lessons at the shop, where I teach brides to be camera ready makeup tips and tricks using The Blushing Bride Cosmetics, which I created for just this reason! I demonstrate each step on half their face and talk them through doing the other half.

From the before and after shots below see if you can guess who did each side!

Thank goodness for professionals! Their expertise in a given field ensures that you will get great results.

Hence, a professional makeup artist may take pictures during the getting ready stage of a wedding, but that does not mean that they will be any good! And clearly I am speaking of myself and my lack of proper photography training. One day when I have time, I keep promising myself!